- as a cardinal put in charge of dealing with the growing controversy - he wrote a letter ordering u.s. bishops - under pain of excommunication - to never tell law enforcement about sex abuse cases. telling them to be "restrained by perpetual silence." other have been critical of the pope's conservative views on issues like contraception and gay rights. the retired pope won't be involved in naming a successor.still he appointed more than half the cardinals who will be making that decision. church observers expect the next pope to continue his conservative tradition. it's the college of cardinals which picks a new pope. they're expected to get together quickly to find a new leader for the troubled church. today -- kron4 visited local congregations -- and got their reaction to the pope's sudden resignation. san francisco's roman catholic archbishop, salvatore cordileone. released this statement: quote - "those of us who know him, and who have watched his whole life unfold in service to god, can see that that this decision down. was motivated own di best serves t the the sun out around th